Under-17's fine performance denied by late penalty

by Ayrton Galea - 27th January 2014

A penalty five minutes from time saw Birkirkara Under-17's leaving the Rabat Ajax Grounds with nothing to show for their fine performance, as in a balanced match, Birkirkara were defeated by Mosta with a score of 2-1.

The strong winds that hit the Maltese islands in the weekend had an effect on the match, as both teams tried to use it in their favour, with Mosta having the final laugh. In the first-half, the Stripes enjoyed a clear edge over Mosta, and they could have gone to their dressing with more than one goal lead, as they had several scoring opportunities. On the other hand, Mosta increased the pressure in the second half to score two late goals and grab the precious points.

The First Half

The match started on a balanced note, as both sides opted to use the initial minutes to study their opponents, with Birkirkara seeking to settle down quickly at the back.

Birkirkara threatened first on the tenth minute when Clint Zammit had a direct free-kick ending over the bar.

Four minutes later, the Stripes had another good scoring opportunity. Following a short clearance, Carl Abela had a fierce volley from inside the box ending over.

The counter-attack plot in the opening stages continued to work for Birkirkara. Off a pass by Andre Debono, Clint Zammit had his header parried by the Mosta goalkeeper.

Just past the twenty-first minute mark, Clint Zammit was in action once again when he had a shot from outside the box neutralised by the goalkeeper.

Zammit should have put the Stripes ahead on the twenty-fifth minute when he drifted inside the box but he had his shot from a good position scratching past the post.

Mosta had their first opportunity close the to half-hour mark with a long-distance shot, but goalkeeper Luke Chircop saved without any particular difficulty.

Carl Abela served Clint Zammit well on the thirty-first minute, and the Birkirkara forward showed quick reactions to dribble past his marker, but had his shot was saved by the goalkeeper.

On thirty-third minute, the Stripes surged ahead. Clint Zammit drifted inside the area but was fouled inside the box. From the eleven meter spot, the same player converted brilliantly as he sent the ball one side and the goalkeeper the other, to put Birkirkara ahead.

This was a deserved lead for the Stripes, who were attacking with the wind behind their back. They were enjoying a clear edge over their opponents, and they produced the best ideas on the pitch.

Clint Zammit was being a continuous threat to Mosta's rearguard. He showed his skills one minute from half-time, when he dribbled past a defender and hit a powerful strike from distance, which was saved in two attempts by the Mosta goalkeeper.

The half-time whistle found Birkirkara deservingly in the lead, thanks to the penalty converted by Clint Zammit.

The Second Half

Just a few moments into the second half, Clint Zammit had a shot from distance ending over.

Now having the wind in their favour, Mosta were quick to put Birkirkara under pressure but the determined Birkirkara defenders were defending well. Three minutes into the second half, Mosta had a fine header from inside the box ending wide.

The Stripes stuck to their counter-attack plot, mostly played on their solitary forward Clint Zammit, who was worrying the Mosta defenders with his dazzling runs. On the sixty-third minute, the Birkirkara forward, Clint Zammit had low strike ending wide.

Twenty minutes in the second half Mosta stepped-up their play, and they managed to equalise on the sixty-sixth minute, thanks to a powerful shot which was deflected, hit the post and went into the net.

Mosta were now all-out to complete their comeback and their task was completed five minutes from time. Goalkeeper Luke Chircop fouled a player inside the box and the referee ordered the penalty. Mosta converted to go in the lead.

Mr. Mark Glumac introduced Fabien Lufi off Carl Abela in a desperate move to somehow salvage something from the match, but Mosta held strong to take the three precious points.

First Eleven: Luke Chircop, Sean Chetcuti, Darren Buttigieg, Maximilian Borg, Zachary Cassar, Andre Cassar, Carl Abela, Nigel Bugeja, Aaron Attard, Clint Zammit, Michael Zammit.

Substitutes: 78' Fabien Lufi.

Scorers: 33' Clint Zammit.

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